Again us two very excited Northern Numpty's woke early, plan of attack was first polish Rod, park up in the Show field early so we got a decent plot, then back to Tent wash and shave and have us a big Full English Breakfast and relax before hitting the Show field for a day of Rod spotting and checking out..... So we got up, had a couple of Paracetamol's had 3 cups of coffee a full pint of orange juice a bottle of water, another cup of coffee, Full English three rounds of bread to soak it all up and then parked the Rod....... I gave it a quick wipe over with me California duster (couldn't be Arsed waxing it) had a good crack with the guy who owned the yellow flamed 34 sport that's won loads of trophies. And then went back to tent and had some more coffee and some more water. Now we were slowly starting to wake up and feel a bit more Human... thoughts of never again did cross my mind but I knew these thought's were futile as in a day or so I would of forgotten all about the rough feeling and be attacking the demon drink again with much gusto..... See told ya I was a numpty!!
By the time me and me mate Pudzz had come back to the field
it was over half full and a steady stream of Rods Customs and the odd Yank were
still piling in totally filling the massive show field by 1 O'clock. I don't
know how many cars were on the show field but if Drayton was 600 then 1800 wouldn't
be to far away an estimate!!! WoW........
We had another proper look round the venders stalls, again almost bought the
Ally sump and Edelbrock air pan (now home I wish I had). I asked Pudzz if he
fancied starting at the first Rod and then working our way through the total
line up of Cars looking at ever single one? He said "Yeah definitely"
so we set about the arduous task *smile* I never ever thought I would get tired
of looking at Rods but Hey I was very very close.. The thought of dropping
the tent and the long journey home may of been in the back of my mind also the prize
draw had been brought forward cus there was a Tannoy curfew, as there was a wedding
on later that afternoon at Knebworth... There were masses of quality Rods some
fine Kustoms. I never cease to be amazed by how clean the engine bays are on so
many Rods and so many with totally unmarked paint and spotless interiors???/ How
the Heck do they keep them so mint??? They are obviously driven there!!! Or do
you know better. *smile* My mate thought the Kugel had no engine when he peered
in the mega clean engine bay that car is just so Radical and different I love
it.... but the Car that gets my vote for most like to drive home was definitely
the black 49 Chevy Truck of err I know he is famous I have heard his name
mentioned plenty but Hey I have forgotten it *whoops * sorry mate. Andrew
Geekie? Nah well what ever, he is famous. I don't know what it is with names and
me I just cant remember any I even call some of my mates the wrong name
sometimes, it must be me age... (since found out it is a 49 Chevy and he is
called Gary O'Connor sorry Gary ) I wont forget again will I?
I can remember seeing these though *wink*. There was this absolutely stunning Red Head walking round, where ever I looked she was there. I tried to get a photo but her Husband kept watching me as I must of looked very suspicious Ha Ha and when I finally did get the perfect shot me Damn Camera didn't work Derrrr. Maybe that is why I cant remember names as I store all the faces in my head instead.........
This Merc, let me tell you a story! When I was looking for a style of wheel I
liked for my Rod, I saw this car featured in Street Machine (look no asterisk)
and these wheels looked just the ticket. Neaps they are called and so the hunt
was on for some, I never did get any but they have always stuck in my mind so
perfect, so polished they look like chrome!!!! Well these did once but not now.
Though not knackered they were badly neglected and brought a tear to my eye I
cant imagine what the rear ones are like *sad*.. Nice Car though!!!
It was now only minutes away from the Trophies and Prize draw so me and me mate wheedled our way to the front so's I could run up and collect my brand new crate motored 350 within the allotted 1 minute!! I was all excited and wondered how my mate was getting home as the engine was going on the front seat when I won it.. *smile* The trophies were given out and all worthy in my opinion. But how can you chose just 10 cars from so many excellent exhibits it does seem so very unfair and must disappoint some.... But this is how it all works and so this is how it will be!
Who won what where and why!
Participants choice
Steve Langs? 32.. I have now been reliably informed that this Fine 32 belongs to Steve's Mate Dan Boone. Dan bought this 32 from Steve over a yr ago and has done loads of work to it himself. To make it more his 32, polished front end is one notable mod. So *nice one* Dan and thanks for bringing such a great Rod to Knebworth for us all to enjoy *respect*
Top Ten Winners
Tracey Chantry's Nash Airflite and Andrew Harrison's 41 Willy's
Er Do Da's A and thingy's other A Both Sedans I know that bit *smile*
Brian Watson's 47 Ford Sedan and Mark Bishops Purple 32
3window (showing off now)
Nick Taylor and the Kugel speedster Gary O'Connor and his 49 Chevy Pick up
*drool*
John Hall and his Beautiful 40's Ford .
Huh don't know why I only have 9 photo's and I cant remember who is
missing???I have tried to identify what car is what and who is the owner but as I
am useless at spotting cars and remembering names there are some mistakes. If you do know then please
let me know so I can fill in the missing blanks and correct the ones I have
wrong!!
Froggy's picks
There were two for this section aswell ?? again don't know why I only have
one photo??? Maybe I was getting excited about the new Chevy engine soon to
be mine Ho Ho!!!
Limeworks Pick
Adrian Smith's A
Steve Dennish an Aussie Guy who lives in California gave this Bitchin A
his Seal of approval with the coveted Pro's pick and he was spot on it was very sharp and must be great fun
to own and drive... *Respect Man*
Top Tot and under 25 winner and most promising
Dead neat Boyd style Tot Rod, UNDER 25 Rod WoW!! Owned by Stewart Dawson and this 32 was just
the most wicked motored under construction Rod there owned by Chris Newman... Nice one!!
My Pick
How the Hell could this motor not get a trophy????????? Apart from the exhaust
and the wheels :>) I guess that's why it didn't get a look in, style wise
though it was Awesome! it was my pick of the show. Though Gary O'Connor's Black Pick-Up (Top ten winner) was
still the motor I would most like to own!!
Soon it was time for THEE prize draw and my heart was
pumping hard and fast so much so my left arm was loosing it's feeling and my chest
was tightening I thought shit I am gonna have an Heart attack just as I pick up
my engine.. *joke*
And the Winner is.... I just hoped it wasnt my ticket with the wrong answers
on...... the winner is....... Bloody Tracey somebody Grrrrrrrrrr My engine given
away to a woman............. Well Done Tracey I am not bitter at all Grrrrr hope it
fits in Ya Car Ok !!!! ;.(..........
"Might aswell Knob off home eh Pudzz?!"
We both jumped to our feet I jumped up but my bottom lip was still on the ground I sniffed back the tears and set off back to start packing up the tent and gear and face the long journey home oil leaks and all.... After 6 attempts we finally got all the gear stowed and the trailer tent packed, tow bracket mounted and away we went. As we were in the traffic jam a rather slim guy came up to us and introduced himself as Ritchie. Finally I was to meet the famous Fat Ritchie and he was just as I imagined him *shame* Ha Ha no he was a great guy and down to earth I felt relaxed and we got on Ace.
I just caught the Radical Custom Min of Keli's shuffling
its way along in the traffic jam but didn't get to meet her.... So we said
our goodbyes and Me and Pudzz set of Yam!! (Home).. 3 miles down the road there
was a massive blue cloud billowing out behind us.. "Looks like the RAC
Taxi for us Pudzz" I said!... As we were peering into the engine bay
Tracey Ward whizzed by, beeped his horn and waved *huh* Seeya Trace..... Then a
couple of more Rods blasted past all looking the other way must of had a long
journey home so didn't want to stop and help eh. I bet some of them had come all
they way from London Whoooo!!! ;>)
I found that the double PCV valve set up I had done before we set off had just
simply filled the inlet with oil so it was a quick revert to the old set up and
we were away.... Just as we were changing the set up Trace appeared again "Aw
wroht Mate" he said "Hi Trace ".. "oy thowt it
wus yow" "Sorry Trace I should of waved you past Mate we are Ok it is
just a breather set up that didn't work"... Trace had gone on to the
next junction turned round the headed down the opposite carriage way and back up
our's just to make sure we were OK.
That is uk
Rodders looking out for uk Rodders Thanx Trace...
We followed the return map the computer had done for us to the letter and after 2 1/2 hrs we had managed to get to Northampton *huh?* Yes we had missed our turning and were going to Cumbria veer the scenic route. Course being true men we never asked the way because I knew which way to go didn't I....not!......
Once on the M6 apart from oil fill ups and Belly fill ups all went great. A Max
Hatch full of young guys and galls came along side us around Birmingham and beeped
their horn. I looked over and saw a sea of smiling faces and approving nods. I
parped my horn back gave them the thumbs up and it was so cool to see everyone
of them, girls and all do the same back Ahhhh in't that nice. I felt a warm glow
inside and glad it wasnt a can of pop or something being hurled at
us... Then not to long after as the glow was slowly diminishing I
spied out of the corner of my eye a Mini... the young lad driving had obviously
said to his girl passenger look at dat Car... as they slowed down so she and he
could get a good look. I smiled..... and she mouthed "That is Shit"...............
Ha Ha Ha.... gave me quite a chortle and I was very pleased indeed that we all
have different tastes in cars know what I mean....****
One very weird but wonderful thing was the last 100 miles or so was traveled in
a Rod I hadn't known before, it was driving so ultra smooth and handling superb
no stiffness on the steering the engine was so ultra quiet, it gave me a real
glimpse of what my Rod was capable of. I can only put it down to the cold
night air. This feel and glimpse of perfection has inspired me to sort out the
niggly faults on my Rod right Now.
So 2ltrs of oil, £80 worth more Fuel and 7hrs later we arrived in sunny Cumbria two very tired but satisfied Rodders....
Please note all events and persons mentioned in this write up are purely fictitious and any resemblance to any one person or place alive or dead are purely coincidental and no distress is intended to any relative of said mentioned people or places be them alive or brown bread I love you all Holmsey!!!!
I always feel when I get home and reflect on what I have
done and what has gone on at the Rod Runs I attend. That I haven't somehow done everything
I wanted to. Somehow not totally satisfied I did it to the Full. You Know, I wish
I had looked at such and such a Rod a bit more, or tried a bit harder to find
the owner and got some info etc etc. Or that my lust for something Rod wise was
not fulfilled, like I should of driven the Rod more or videoed some more??
I cant really put my finger on it but most Runs have left me wanting more....
But Knebworth some how satisfied me fully...
I Salute The NSRA for putting on such a Boss event and I
applaud all the Rodders who went out of their way to make two Fat Northern
Numpty's feel very very welcome indeed. I am proud and happy to be part of such a fantastic
Vibrant Scene....
Uk Hot Rodding!!! Ya Hooo....
This is how my Rod looked Tue afternoon.
Thursday engine is at Smax's ready for the make over....
Its gona get an engine rebuild by Smax and the steering rerouted and probably some other shit like a new Rad and hopefully some tubular IFS *dream* I am motivated.. if not too skint to do it all!!